Lalu Prasad Draws Flak After Sexist Remark On Nitish Kumar’s Mahila Rally: ‘Only To Ogle At…’ – News18

Last Updated:December 10, 2024, 12:08 IST

Lalu Yadav was reacting to Nitish Kumar’s plans to launch the Mahila Samwad Yatra, an initiative aimed at directly engaging with women in Bihar.

RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav on Tuesday stoked controversy after passing a sexist remark at Nitish Kumar’s upcoming women’s rally, saying that the Bihar Chief Minister was only attending it to “ogle at women.”

Yadav was reacting to Kumar’s plans to launch the Mahila Samwad Yatra, an initiative aimed at directly engaging with women in Bihar. “Nain sekne ja rahe hain wo (Nitish Kumar),” Yadav told reporters, stirring a political row.

BJP leaders including Deputy CM Samrat Chaudhary and Vijay Sinhar condemned the remarks made by Yadav. Terming it “unfortunate”, Chaudhary said that the use of such language raises serious concern.

“Bihar CM Nitish Kumar is going to have a conversation with the women of Bihar and the type of words Lalu Prasad has used, we knew that he is physically ill but now we can say that he is also mentally ill. He needs to be treated,” Chaudhary said.

Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha slammed Yadav for “defaming” Bihar and suggested that the RJD leader “is unable to understand things on his last stage.”

“Such language does not suit a person sitting in a constitutional position. These people have defamed Bihar. Bihar wants to be free from such people,” Sinha said.

Kumar’s ‘Mahila Samvad Yatra’ in Bihar is set to commence on December 15, aiming to review the progress of the government’s 7-Resolves programme while engaging with women across the state to gauge their concerns and strengthen public participation in governance.

‘Will Support Mamata To Lead INDIA’

When asked about the INDIA bloc’s leadership, Yadav asserted that West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee should be allowed to lead the opposition front.

Prasad also said if the Congress, a major ally of the INDIA bloc, had any reservation about accepting Banerjee as the leader of the opposition front, it would “not make any difference”.”Mamta Banerjee should be allowed to head the INDIA bloc,” the RJD chief said.

The remark comes days after Banerjee expressed her intent to take charge of the anti-BJP coalition. TMC party leaders also pushed Banerjee to take charge of the INDIA bloc, with MP Kirti Azad saying that she is the “most suitable” candidate for the role, citing her consistent victories over the BJP in West Bengal.